There is a lot of talk of diversity and inclusion when hiring, particularly important when hiring writers. In fact, I just started a post in the Producing Lounge about how the showrunner of Netflix's "Spirit Rangers" hired an all-Native writer's room to write for its Native-focused series: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/producing/Spirit-Rangers-The-Power-of-Hiring-Native-Writers-for-a-Uniquely-Native-Series
But my question to you, my Stage32 screenwriters, is - what unique perspective do you bring to a writer's room?
For example, I identify as female, I'm an only child raised by a single mother in the DC area, and I trained as a martial artist to become a police officer but used the knowledge to become a massage therapist instead. Could I claim more "perspectives"? Sure, and perhaps I do per project, but the bedrock of this question really comes down to - what perspective is innate (I identify as female, I am an only child, I was raised by a single working mother) and what perspective is chosen and crafted from your personal narrative (training to be a PO, but became an MT)?
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You need to write what you know so if its a series from a native American perspective then it is a wise move to hire the staff from that background. I am a foreigner in America, and I am forever learning nuances and expressions. I doubt I could write an American Rom Com for my lack of genuine cultural perspective. That being said a "generic " anything means just that - employ everyone from everywhere. Diversity always bring unique perspectives.
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I am not actually aiming to get into a writer's room, but let's see. I am an immigrant twice, to the US and to Greece. I have experience with the intersection of business, politics and intelligence. I am a breast cancer patient (don't like the term 'survivor' – I'll be a survivor the day I die of something else). I have studied a lot of languages over the years, including Latin, Ancient Greek, and Arabic, and have a pretty broad general knowledge of the humanities, so anything involving professors, archaeology, linguistics etc. would be right up my alley.
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I"m southern, short, gay and almost failed wood shop in high school.
If Stephen can survive almost failing wood shop, then I got sewing in home economics that I failed pretty spectacularly at. LOL
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Stephen Foster :D You're Truman Capote! I bet he almost failed wood shop too.
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Christiane Lange thank you! I love Mr. Capote!
I think You need a lot of empathy for Your Charakters and knowledge of the cultural circumstances of the character and then also a female can write a male character and vice versa. For some Insider Informations You maybe need experience, but what does a crime author? Hopefully not write about his experiences.
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Something like hiring an entire culture makes sense when the culture is important. I have also heard of rooms where the black writer becomes the “black filter” and their skills as a writer are virtually overlooked.
I can model a gay character off my gay friends, because I model all characters off people I know. But could I write a cultural (gender, race, religion) from the inside, hell no.
However, if the person is feeling an emotion, regardless of the background, and I understand that emotion, I can write that. But what led to that emotion may be lost on me. I was watching the last episode of “Vikings”, there is an emotional funeral. My wife said “I hope that is accurate”. I know what she meant. Show me the real ceremony not some culturally insult hollywood bullshit.
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Write what you know and integrate experiences from your own life to form a complete character is my advice.
I bring my own chair.
Dan, no napping permitted.
I am a female Asexual Biromantic woman. Representation lets say is the bedrock of everything I write these days.